I don’t write personal stuff on my blog often (although a lot of poems are of course) but today I will break that rule

I thought I would have NO problems with self-isolation (I write, I study, I read, I go for walks, it’s fine) and I haven’t had a problem until VERY recently (after more than a month of it – started on March 15 I think). I don’t see people much anyway in normal life – my next door neighbours about twice a week (brief chats), a friend about once every 8 weeks for a coffee or some outing, visits from Aussie friends rare and very welcome, online friends every day (same as now) with no cam though, a hug now and then (lonely strangers have been known to ask me for one of those – always granted, why not). I saw my sons eyes on cam a few weeks back (very nice) but last night I was trying to write a poem about how I feel in isolation (really feel) and the only line I got was this ………..
” desperate to look in someone’s eyes, I summon Deliveroo” ….. kind of funny but pretty much true. The postman (if he brings a parcel) knocks my door and zooms on – by the time I open the door he is gone. The corridors where I live (and even the laundry room) are like walking through a ghost town. The Deliveroo guys (being mostly East European) make eye contact and do that charming little hand on heart bow some people do (I like it) but what I realised last night is I miss STRANGERS! The ones I chat to at bus stops, the checkout girl, the person who just walks up to me in the park and starts telling me their life story. I really, really miss that. Longing to see them again.